Doreen Demare served as the city councillor for the former Seine Valley ward from 1986 to 1989 and the former Riel House ward between 1989 and 1992 and still lives in the St. Vital area. Doreen Dodick (NDP) was the MLA for Riel from 1981 to 1986 and is also still an area resident.

"Both of these women served their community and I knew when I was elected that I wanted to do something to mark their achievements," said Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital). "Both were trailblazers, as they were among the first female political representatives in the area at that time.

"People should realize there is some history in St. Vital and it is important to acknowledge that."

Mayes noted the proposal to rename the park went through two city hall committees before being approved last year.

He said Dodick also dedicated a bench in the park to the memory of her husband, John, who died of cancer in 2007.

Also at the renaming recent ceremony were Premier Greg Selinger and current MLA for Riel Christine Melnick.

Selinger was in city hall at the same time as Demare, during his three-year term as a city councillor (St. Boniface), from 1989 to 1992.

Mayes said while the two former councillors wore different political stripes, they have a mutual respect from their time at city hall.

"He was NDP and she was a Conservative, but on days like today, it’s not about political colours, it’s about giving people in the St. Vital area a sense of history and identity," Mayes said.

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